Jets Notebook: Dee Milliner's availability in doubt against Titans

Dee Milliner was pulled from practice Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday, casting doubt on the cornerback's ability to play this Sunday.

Dee Milliner sat out Thursday's practice and could miss Sunday's game at Tennessee.Credit: Getty Images

Jets first-round pick Dee Milliner was pulled from practice Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday, casting doubt on the cornerback's ability to play this Sunday at the Titans.

Milliner injured his left hamstring on Wednesday, another setback in a season full of them for the rookie. He had offseason shoulder surgery following the NFL Combine, which derailed his ability to participate in rookie minicamp, workouts or the team's minicamp in June. A contract holdout kept him off the field at the start of training camp. As if he wasn't far enough behind at that point, Milliner had an Achilles injury that kept him off the practice field and out much of preseason.

With a hamstring injury this week there is suddenly a trend.

“I was out there, just trying to get better each day like I said last time,” Milliner said. “Working hard to get back out there on the field. I think I was progressing.”

The Jets could use Milliner back this week, given their struggles in the secondary against the Bills. Cornerback Kyle Wilson had four penalties on four consecutive plays in the fourth quarter of that game and earned a temporary benching. An injury to Milliner would push the unproven Darrin Walls, or Wilson, into prominent roles in the secondary.

There is optimism from Milliner that he can make a comeback by this Sunday.

“Yeah, that's why I've been in the training room — get back, get through it, do my part and hoping the rest will come,” Milliner said.

Jets notes ...

» Running back Chris Ivory did not practice on Thursday with a hamstring injury suffered in Sunday's game still not healed. A team source told Metro yesterday that Ivory is not likely to play against the Titans.

» Sheldon Richardson was limited in practice but did the majority of reps on Thursday as he continues to recover from a Week 1 left shoulder contusion.

“It's the best it has felt in awhile,” Richardson said. “Feels really good.”

» Also limited in practice was wide receiver Clyde Gates, who has a slight knee knock.

“It's not really an injury, but my knee just feels kind of stiff today,” Gates said. “I noticed it today.”

A team source told Metro the injury “won't cause [him] to miss Sunday's game.” Gates is the team's kickoff returner and also in the wide receiver rotation.